Sergio Ramos issued a statement on social media
Sergio Ramos has denied allegations that he broke anti-doping rules prior to their 2017 Champions League final against Juventus at Wales' Principality Stadium.
A Football Leaks report, published by Der Spiegel on Friday, alleges the urine sample Ramos provided prior to the match tested positive for the banned substance dexamethasone.
World Anti-Doping Agency rules allow the administration of the drug before matches, but only if it is reported by the team doctor - something the team failed to do on the night of their 4-1 win. Instead, the paperwork said the Spanish international had received an injection of the similarly regulated substance betamethasone in his shoulder and knee.
However, UEFA did not investigate the matter as they accepted the Madrid team doctor's explanation that he had made an error in his report.
"In the future, we ask you and your team doctor to be utmost cautious when completing the doping control form and more precisely the declaration of medication," a leaked letter from UEFA to the team read.
Ramos took to social media to make a statement on the issue. That statement read:
“I am vehemently opposed to doping. I have never participated, nor will I ever participate in, nor have I ever consented to, now will I ever consent to, any form of doping.
"The two specific cases referred to are explained as follows:
"Málaga, 2018: When the match ended, I was requested to complete an anti-doping test. Given the time pressures on the team's return journey, the official allowed me to shower, remaining in his presence at all times, before completing the test, which I passed in all cases.
"Cardiff, June 2017: I received a standard medical treatment administered by the club's medical professionals. The matter was clarified and resolves formally and in writing between the organisations.
"Over the course of my sporting career I have submitted to, and passed satisfactorily, an infinite number of anti-doping tests. Neither in this case, as UEFA, WADA and Real Madrid have already stated, nor any other time in the past, have I breached anti-doping regulations.
"With respect to the right to information, I must also uphold my right to honour. My legal team will consider taking action in those cases which which misrepresent the truth and therefore undermine my reputation and violate my rights."
https://twitter.com/SergioRamos/status/1066346339309682688
Real Madrid also issued a
statement, defending their captain.
